Hello Across the Universe fans!

This is technically my second ATU fanfic. I wrote one years ago, deleted it, and never finished it. Recently, I came up with this idea and thought I should get on it. Soooooo we'll see how this goes. XD

First chapter is a bit slow and short, but I will try my hardest to pick it up. I have been writing a Titanic fanfic I have been really passionate about, so we'll see how this goes. XD I'm a HUGE Beatles fan and ATU fan, so this is exciting for me, and I hope you all enjoy it.

Lots of love and happy reading!

-Christine

"What if she says no?"

"Jude, she's crazy about you. There is no way she would say no."

Jude Feeny groaned, pacing back and forth across the kitchen. He looked down at the diamond engagement ring in his hand, twirling it in-between his fingers. It wasn't the most extravagant ring in the world, but he spent all what he could afford on it, even selling some of his drawings to get it. The band was fourteen karat gold, the diamond was about a half a karat, small and square. Although the ring was simple, it was elegant. It was something perfect for Lucy, and Jude hoped it was enough to show his love for her.

Jude's best friend and possible future brother-in-law, Max Carrigan, hopped down from the counter to stand beside him.

"There's no need to worry, man. Relax."

"How do you know she'll say yes."

"She's my sister. I knew her better than you do," Max winked. Jude laughed, giving him a playful push.

"I'm just nervous, mate. I lost her once. I don't want to lose her again."

"And she feels the same, trust me. She was lost when you were gone and was with that Taco or Paco guy, whoever that prick was."

"You really think she was lost?"

"I really do. She loves you."

Jude smiled at that, still looking at the ring in his fingers. She did love him. She took him back and her and Max let him move into their new apartment. It was smaller than Sadie and Jo's place, but it was cleaner and homier. Things have been going so smoothly for the past six months, and Jude knew that Lucy was the one.

"I'm just nervous," he sighed. Max rolled his eyes.

"Grow a set, man. Grow a set."

Jude rolled his eyes and gave him a push.

At that moment, the doorknob turned and Lucy entered the apartment. Jude tensed and quickly shoved the ring in his pocket. Max snickered as he witnessed this.

"Hello, hello," Lucy smiled warmly as she came to greet the two in the kitchen, two grocery bags in hand, still wearing her waitress attire.

"Oh yes, you went food shopping?" Max exclaimed excitedly as he went to help her put groceries away, Glad to see you got me more Captain Crunch."

"That's all you eat," Lucy chuckled. Jude came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. Blushing, she turned her head to give him a kiss.

"I have a surprise for you," Jude said.

"Oh really?" Lucy asked curiously, "What is it?"

"I'm taking you out. Get showered and put on that favorite scarlet dress of yours. I have special plans," he winked. Lucy's smiled widened.

"I'll get right on that," she said before turning to your brother, "Max, are you ok with putting the rest of these groceries away?"

"Sure," he replied, hopping back up on the counter with the new box of Captain Crunch in hand. Lucy rolled her eyes.

"Counters are made for plates and glasses not asses."

Max scowled as he hopped down.

"Go get ready you two, I'll take care of this stuff. Have fun."

"Thanks!" she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and practically skipped to the bathroom. Jude headed in the same direction, leaving Max alone in the kitchen.

Max let out a sigh as he took a seat at the table, coffee in hand. He loved seeing Jude and Lucy together, and he couldn't be happier for them. But seeing their happiness reminded him of what he didn't have. Since Vietnam, he was too afraid of getting into anything serious. There were too many demons that haunted him still, too many nightmares. He wasn't going to drag anyone into that.

To void the feeling of loneliness, Max tended to hit the bar scene after he was done with work. He knew how to be a womanizer, and most nights he went home with someone, just to leave the next morning. He worked as a taxi driver, driving everyone around New York to wherever they needed to go, dumping their problems onto him on top of that. That got irritating after awhile. There were some nights where he wished he could drive in complete silence.

He took a sip from his coffee, straight black. It was bitter, yet refreshing.

As he let his thoughts subside, he concluded that he would be lonely for the rest of his life.

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